Acta Non Verba

In this episode of Acta Non Verba, host Marcus Aurelius Anderson sits down with Scott Sypniewskie, co-owner of SSLC Plumbing, to discuss leadership, redemption, and the journey from adversity to success. Scott shares his deeply personal story of overcoming challenges, building a thriving business with his wife, and the importance of leading by example. Listeners will gain insights into the philosophies and practices that have shaped Scott’s life and company, emphasizing the ethos of actions over words. Episode Highlights: The 80/80 Rule and Company Culture (4:30)Scott explains the evolution of SSLC’s mission, focusing on building relationships and making decisions that prioritize both customers and employees. Personal Redemption and Family Support (10:50)Scott recounts his struggles with addiction, the turning point in his life, and the unwavering support of his wife, Kathleen, which became the foundation for his transformation. Extreme Ownership and Leadership Development (13:50)The impact of attending leadership events, embracing the principles of extreme ownership, and fostering a culture of continuous growth within SSLC. The Power of Reframing and Giving Space (48:30)Scott and Marcus discuss the importance of reframing adversity, creating space for others to grow, and the ripple effect of authentic leadership on teams and families. Scott Sypniewskie is the co-owner of SSLC Plumbing in Colorado. After overcoming personal struggles, he has dedicated himself to building a business rooted in strong relationships, leadership, and the success of others. Scott is known for his humility, commitment to personal growth, and his ability to inspire those around him to lead by example. Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Acta Non Verba, host Marcus Aurelius Anderson sits down with Rod Yancy — entrepreneur, writer, attorney, and founder of Oath and Bootleg. Rod shares how he’s found success across multiple industries, from law and financial planning to software and now music. The conversation explores what it means to build companies that serve people, live with intention, and innovate within the modern music industry. Rod offers timeless lessons on creativity, courage, and taking action to turn vision into reality. Episode Highlights: 5:04 - The Power of Mortality in EntrepreneurshipRod discusses how contemplating mortality (memento mori) shaped his philosophy and inspired the founding of Oath, emphasizing the importance of living intentionally and making meaningful decisions. 9:39 - Overcoming the Success TrapRod and Marcus explore the “success trap” many entrepreneurs fall into—chasing money or status at the expense of fulfillment, health, and relationships, and how true success requires self-awareness and balance. 40:07 - Delegation and Leadership Lessons from Richard BransonRod shares advice from Richard Branson about the importance of delegation, empowering others, and stepping back as a leader to allow the team to thrive, even if it means feeling less “needed.” 56:00 - Empowering Artists with New Revenue StreamsRod introduces his new venture, Bootleg, which helps artists monetize live concert recordings, providing fans with unique experiences and artists with ongoing revenue, illustrating innovation and creative entrepreneurship. Rod Yancy is a serial entrepreneur, attorney, and founder of Oath, a company dedicated to helping people live intentionally by contemplating their mortality and planning their legacy. With a background in philosophy and law, Rod has built and scaled multiple businesses, including Oath Planning and Bootleg, a platform empowering artists to monetize live performances. Known for his creative approach, resilience, and commitment to meaningful work, Rod draws inspiration from both ancient philosophy and modern mentors like Richard Branson. He is passionate about fostering innovation, supporting artists, and helping others find purpose beyond financial success. Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode Marcus sits down with Commander William C. Spears, a US Navy submarine warfare officer and author of "Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy." Together, they explore the practical application of stoic philosophy in leadership, adversity, and modern life, offering insights for anyone seeking to live by actions, not words. Episode Highlights: 1:10 — Introduction to Commander William C. Spears and his background in the US Navy 11:30 — The deeper meaning of stoicism and the "dichotomy of control" as a philosophical razor 19:00 — Stoicism’s role in leadership, duty, and making ethical decisions as a professional and a human 42:00 — Applying stoic practices to overcome hardship and grow through adversity Commander William C. Spears is a submarine warfare officer in the US Navy, having served as a weapons officer on a fast attack submarine and as an executive officer of a Trident missile submarine. He is the author of "Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy," a deeply researched exploration of stoic thought from a warfighter’s perspective. Spears is also a prolific writer on leadership and ethics, sharing his insights on his website and LinkedIn. Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Marcus sits down with Navy SEAL combat veteran, bestselling author, and entrepreneur Brent Gleeson. They discuss leadership, personal growth, building resilient organizations, and Brent's new book "All In." The conversation dives deep into actionable strategies for success, the importance of systems, and how to balance achievement with fulfillment. Episode Highlights: 1:05 - Brent Gleeson's background: Navy SEAL, entrepreneur, and author 9:50 - The Remarkable Results Pyramid: systems, mindset, and routines 25:10 - The story behind "All In" and the impact of personal transformation 35:10 - Accelerate: leveraging AI for organizational growth and leadership Brent Gleeson is a Navy SEAL combat veteran, award-winning speaker, and serial entrepreneur. He is the CEO of Exlr8, an AI-powered enterprise workforce app, and the author of bestselling books "Embrace the Suck," "Taking Point," and his latest, "All In." Brent is renowned for applying leadership and cultural principles from special operations to the business world, helping organizations drive performance and lead change. Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Marcus Aurelius Anderson speaks with Kyle Shepard—a father, husband, military audiologist, resilience instructor, former burpee world record holder, and functional fitness coach. Together, they explore the power of actions over words, the importance of resilience, lessons from adversity, and how to align values with daily life. Kyle shares his journey through military service, world record challenges, personal loss, and the strategies he uses to build mental and physical strength. Key Highlights: The Burpee World Record Story [2:30]Kyle shares how a friendly challenge led him to break the world record for burpees, and what the experience taught him about discipline and competition. Resilience and Recovery [8:15]Discussion on the difference between resilience and burnout, and why intentional recovery is essential for sustained performance. Navigating Personal Loss [32:40]Kyle opens up about experiencing miscarriages, the impact on his marriage, and how vulnerability and communication helped him and his wife heal and grow stronger. Aligning Actions with Values [23:45]Insights on the importance of self-awareness, reflecting on core values, and ensuring that daily actions are in alignment with what truly matters. Kyle Shepard is a father, husband, military audiologist, resilience instructor, and functional fitness coach. A former burpee world record holder, Kyle is passionate about helping others build resilience through intentional stress, mindset training, and community support. His journey includes military service, coaching, and overcoming personal adversity, all of which inform his approach to living a life based on actions, not words. Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Marcus Aurelius Anderson sits down with executive coach Bahar to explore the power of shadow work in leadership and personal growth. Bahar shares her expertise in psychology, neuropsychology, and functional medicine, discussing how leaders can overcome internal obstacles, foster resilience, and create lasting transformation in themselves and their organizations. Key Highlights: 3:25 — The importance of shadow work for leaders and organizations 8:40 — How childhood patterns shape adult behavior and leadership 16:08 — The five survival strategies: fight, flight, freeze, fawn, fall apart 29:06 — Jungian psychology and the origins of shadow work 38:24 — Bahar’s personal journey through adversity and self-discovery 1:03:00 — The Alexander Method and integrating psychology, neurobiology, and coaching 1:23:00 — Executive presence, self-awareness, and transformation in leadership 1:40:00 — Bahar’s new book and course: Leadership Magnetism 1:53:00 — Advice for leaders on job transitions and finding meaning Bahar is an executive coach and master performance coach with a background in psychology, neuropsychology, epigenetics, shadow work, and functional medicine. She specializes in helping leaders and organizations remove internal obstacles to mastery, focusing on deep transformation rather than just skill-building. Bahar is the creator of the Alexander Method and the course "Leadership Magnetism," and is dedicated to empowering individuals to achieve personal and professional success through self-awareness and resilience. Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Marcus Aurelius Anderson sits down with Sam Morris, co-founder and CEO of E9 Global and founder of Zen Warrior Training. They discuss resilience, authentic leadership, adaptability in the modern world, and the intersection of technology, philosophy, and personal growth. Key Highlights: [1:14] Sam Morris’s journey from adventure leader to paraplegic and the founding of Zen Warrior Training. [16:35] The importance of adaptability and letting go of static identity in leadership and life. [1:08:00] Sam explains E9 Global’s anti-counterfeit technology and the value of data sovereignty. [1:17:00] Lessons in team building, self-awareness, and the role of humility in leadership. Sam Morris is the co-founder and CEO of E9 Global, a MarTech company focused on data sovereignty and brand protection. After a life-changing accident left him paralyzed, Sam founded Zen Warrior Training, inspiring thousands to transcend limitations through resilience and authentic leadership. He is a sought-after speaker and coach, known for his unique perspective on adaptability, mindfulness, and organizational leadership. Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Marcus Aurelius Anderson shares an exclusive reading from his upcoming book, "Acta Non Verba: Transforming Adversity Into Victory." He explores the importance of cultivating a warrior mentality, the necessity of facing adversity, and how taking action is the key to personal transformation and freedom. Episode Highlights: [0:45] Introduction to the new book and its three parts: adversity, becoming a warrior, and transformation. [1:41] The necessity of taking responsibility for your life and creating your own opportunities. [6:06] The definition of a warrior and how embodying the warrior mentality can help you overcome adversity. [12:15] How sharing the podcast and joining the Acta Non Verba Inner Circle can help spread the message and build a community. Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this powerful episode of "Acta Non Verba," host Marcus Aurelius Anderson interviews Jessica Buchanan, a teacher, author, and humanitarian whose harrowing experience of being kidnapped by Somali pirates and rescued by SEAL Team Six transformed her life. Jessica shares her journey of survival, resilience, and how she now empowers others through her writing and advocacy. Episode Highlights: Jessica’s Background and Work in Africa [00:49]Jessica describes her teaching career, humanitarian work, and what led her to Somalia. The Kidnapping and 93 Days in Captivity [06:31]Jessica recounts the day she was abducted, the conditions she endured, and her mindset during captivity. Rescue by SEAL Team Six [32:49]The dramatic rescue operation and the moment Jessica realized she was finally safe. Healing, Purpose, and Empowering Others [40:27]Jessica discusses her recovery, founding Soul Speak Press, and her mission to help others find meaning after trauma. Jessica Buchanan is a teacher, author, humanitarian, and inspirational speaker. After surviving a 93-day kidnapping ordeal by Somali pirates, she became a New York Times bestselling author with her memoir "Impossible Odds." Jessica is the founder of Soul Speak Press, a publishing company dedicated to empowering women to share their stories. She is a sought-after speaker, advocate for trauma survivors, and lives in the Washington, DC area with her family. Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, host Marcus Aurelius Anderson sits down with Claude Silver, the world’s first Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX and author of "Be Yourself At Work." Together, they explore the power of authentic leadership, building resilient workplace cultures, and the importance of empathy and self-awareness in professional growth. Episode Highlights: [0:49] Introduction to Claude Silver and her role as Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX [13:14] Claude discusses fear, insecurity, and authenticity in the workplace [13:72] Shifting leadership paradigms: trust, vulnerability, and communication [14:26] Building resilience through adversity and the value of transparent feedback About Claude Silver:Claude Silver is the Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, where she partners with CEO Gary Vaynerchuk to cultivate a people-first culture. With over a decade in her unique role, Claude is recognized for pioneering empathetic leadership and fostering environments where individuals can thrive by being their authentic selves. She is the author of "Be Yourself At Work," a book dedicated to empowering individuals and teams to lead with heart, courage, and vulnerability. Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.